Compression testing device for automobile engines



May 13, 1924. 1,493,633

- J. F. JOYCE COMPRESSION TESTING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILE ENGINES Fne Jan 9. 1924.

INVENTOR James Joyce ATTORNEYS I Patented May 13, 1924.

JAMES F. JOYCE, OF JERSEY CITY, NEXV JERSEY.

COMPRESSION TESTING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILE ENGINES.

Application filed January 9, 1924. Serial No. 685,158.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES F. Jorcn, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Compression Testing Devices for Automobile Engines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to accessories for internal combustion engines and garage equipment. In the operation of burning carbon from the compression chamber of a gas engine it is necessary first to make sure that the piston is at the upper limit of its stroke. The intake and exhaust valves are closed in this position of the piston and there is no danger of the carbon combustion extending to the carburetor. he combustion is also confined by the piston to the top of the cylinder where the carbon accumulates.

The main object of this invention is to provide a device to indicate when the piston has reached the limit of its movement and is in proper position to permit the burning of the carbon from the compression chamber of the engine, the device being so designed that its operation can be observed by the person turning over the engine.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a simple unitary device for said purpose which can be readily attached to or removed from the engine and can be depended upon to perform its function with accuracy.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through the indicating device; and

Fig. 2 a view showing the device connected to a gas engine.

Referring to the various parts by numerals. 1 designates a plug threaded at its lower end as at 2. The upper end of the plug is formed with a threaded socket 3 into which is threaded the lower end of a slender tu bular standard 4. The standard 4 is of ma terial length and has a cup-shaped head 5 secured to its upper end. The head 5 serves as a support for a transparent bulb-shaped water, or other liquid, container 6 which is open at its lower end and is secured to the head 5 by a water tight joint 7. The water container 6 is preferably made of transparent glass and is formed with an opening 8 at its upper end. The lower end of the container opens into the tube 4. The plug 1 is formed with a capillary passage 9 which extends upwardly from the lower end of the plug and opens into the lower end of the tube l. This passage is preferably so small as to practically prevent any leakage of water from the tube therethrough.

Fig. 2 shows the indicating device applied to a gas engine. The spark plug is first removed and the plug 1 of the device screwed into the spark plug socket 10. The workman then slowly turns the engine crank shaft and observes the effect upon the water in the below its uppermost or dead-center position, the turning of the crank-shaft will cause the piston to rise. As the piston rises the valves will close and the gas above the piston will be compressed and forced through the capillary passage 9, the tube l and the water in the bulb 6. The upward movement of the piston will be indicated. in the bulb by a stream of bubbles rising to the surface of the water or other liquid therein, as the gas or air is forced therethrough. When the flow of bubbles ceases it indicates that the piston has reached itsupper dead-center position, as shown in Fig. 2. The engine valves have then closed and the compression chamber is prepared to have the carbon burned therefrom. The indicating device is next unscrewed from the spark plug socket to give access to the compression chamber for the carbon burning operation.

The tubular standard 4 extends upward for a material distance and supports the bulb in an elevated position to be readily observed by the person turning over the engine. The standard is preferably bendable so that the bulb may be moved out of the way of an obstruction.

It will be seen that an indicating device is provided that is extremely simple, and thoroughly reliable. There are no diaphragms, pistons, springs or the like which would become worn and inaccurate with use and would require adjustment.

The indicating device is well adapted for use in connection with other engine operations in which it is necessary to determine when the piston has reached the limit of its stroke toward the compression chamber. It may for example be used in connection with. the adjusting of the spark timer. When the device indicates that the piston has co1ntransparent bulb 6. If the piston is pleted its stroke, the timer is adjusted to rorrcspond with that position of the piston. Another use of the device is to test the compression of an engine by observing the volume of bubbles that appear as the piston rises. When the bubbles appear in the proper volume it indicates that there is no undue valve or piston leakage.

l Vhat I claim is:

1. A device for indicating the upward movement ot a piston in the cylinder of a engine comprising" a plug adapted to be titted into an opening' in the compression chamber of the engine and formed with a 1 v passage therethrough, and a transwater container connected to the plug aud opening at its lower end into the capillarv passage, whereby air or gas is forced the con'ipression chamber through said ill-a passage and the liquid in the container causing it to bubble as the piston is moved upward.

2. A device for visually indicating when the piston of a gas engine has reached the proper position to permit the waning oi the carbon from the compression chamber. comprising a plug adapted to be fitted into an ()Penil'lg in the compression chamber and tormed with a small passage, a tubular standard of material length connected to and adapted to be supported by the plug and opening into said passage, and a transparent water container supported by the upper end of the tubular standard and openinn" at its lower end into the standard, wl'iereb as the piston is moved toward the said proper position, air or gas will be forced through the plug passage the tube and the water in the container causing bubbles to appear therein.

3. A device for visually indicating the upward movement of a piston in the cylinder of a gas engine comprising a plug adapted to be fitted into an opening in the compression chamber of the engine and formed with a passage througl it. a tubular bendable standard of material. length connected to and adapted to be supported by the plug and a transparent water container supported in.) the upper end of the tubular standard and opening at its lower end into said standard.

t. A device for visually indicating the upward movement of a piston in the cylinder ot a gas engine comprising a plug adapted to be fitted into the spark plug opening in the compression chamber of the engine and formed with a capillary passage through it. a tubular standard of material length connected to and adapted to be supported by the plug. and a transparent water container supported by the upper end of the standard said container opening at its lower end into the tube and having a vent opening above the water level.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aliix my signature.

JAMES F. JOYCE. 

